SAN ANTONIO—QuickLink has launched two new versions of its StudioEdge line of products: StudioEdge-1 and StudioEdge-2 provide one-channel and two-channels of broadcast-quality discrete audio and video from Zoom, Microsoft Teams and QuickLink StudioCall remote guests.

These new single and dual SDI versions target customers who previously relied on Skype TX, providing an equivalent replacement with added platform support that can be seamlessly integrated into existing Skype TX workflows.

StudioEdge allows broadcasters and production teams to seamlessly introduce remote guests from every major video conferencing platform, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams and StudioCall into productions, optimized with ground-breaking AI technology. With Skype reaching its end-of-life, many production teams and broadcasters are seeking alternative solutions to maintain seamless remote guest integration. QuickLink StudioEdge provides a future-proof, reliable replacement, ensuring continued connectivity and high-quality video contribution from remote participants, the company said.

“Expanding our StudioEdge line was a clear next step for us, as this fills a direct need in the marketplace for a one-channel and two-channel option,” says Richard Rees, CEO of QuickLink. “With Skype support ending, and the consequent discontinuation of Skype TX, the StudioEdge-1 and StudioEdge-2 provide a natural upgrade for the now unavailable NewTek TalkShow (Vizrt TalkShow), Riedel STX-200 and QuickLink TX. These new StudioEdge models offer added platform support and a seamless upgrade into existing Skype TX workflows.”

The complete Studio Edge line, including these two new models, will be shown at QuickLink’s Booth (7.B51) at IBC2025, Sept. 12-15 at the RAI Amsterdam.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—As broadcasters reassess their remote contribution tools in the wake of Microsoft’s recent announcement to retire Skype in May 2025, QuickLink is pitching its StudioEdge as a cutting-edge solution designed to seamlessly integrate remote guests from multiple video conferencing platforms into professional productions.

QuickLink’s StudioEdge provides multi-platform integration of remote guests from major video conferencing platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and StudioCall, into productions and is optimized with ground-breaking AI technology, the company reported.

Skype, launched in 2003, revolutionized internet communication by enabling free voice and video calls globally. However, as technology evolved, platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams emerged, offering enhanced features and user experiences. Microsoft’s decision to discontinue Skype reflects this shift, urging users to transition to Microsoft Teams.

Quicklink’s StudioEdge supports four channels of broadcast-quality discrete audio and video from Microsoft Teams, Zoom and QuickLink StudioCall remote guests.

It can be seamlessly integrated into the production suite via IP and hardware inputs/outputs. The powerful solution supports direct, off-air communication between the operator and remote guest(s) offering complete control over the production. It is designed to seamlessly bridge the gap between video conferencing platforms and professional production workflows, offering unparalleled control, reliability and quality.

“Unlike other competing WebRTC-based solutions, which suffer from blocked port and software codex issues, StudioEdge is the only solution that allows users to choose the best elements from all the available platforms allowing broadcasters to easily reach its production goal,” says Richard Rees, CEO of QuickLink.

As the industry navigates the post-Skype era, QuickLink stressed that StudioEdge offers broadcasters a reliable and adaptable solution for incorporating remote contributions into their productions. With nearly 22 years of experience in providing cutting-edge broadcast solutions, QuickLink continues to lead the way in delivering innovative, high-quality remote production tools trusted by broadcasters worldwide.

For more information about QuickLink StudioEdge or other award-winning video production solutions, please visit the QuickLink website.

The Quicklink team and its suite of products will also be onsite at the 2025 NAB Show, (Booth SL10413) between April 6 to 9 in Las Vegas.

Remote production solutions provider Quicklink has added SMPTE 2110 support to its product portfolio with the launch of the Quicklink TX (Skype TX) 2110, bringing the integration of Skype and Microsoft Teams callers into ST 2110 media workflows. This new support enables the the Quicklink TX solution to integrate seamlessly with uncompressed IP video workflows conforming to the SMPTE ST 2110 specification, according to Quicklink.

The SMPTE ST 2110 suite defines standards for transporting video, audio, and metadata essences as separate streams over professional IP networks. Quicklink's support for ST 2110 empowers broadcasters to unlock new efficiencies in live production, the company said

"We have seen a rapid growth of demand for IP video and adoption of the ST 2110 standard," said Richard Rees, CEO of Quicklink. "By introducing ST 2110 support to the Quicklink TX, our products now align perfectly with customers transitioning their facilities to IP."

The Quicklink TX is offered in a number of channel configurations to integrate remote Skype and Microsoft Teams guests into live productions with exceptional full HD quality. Since its launch in 2015, the Skype TX platform has been adopted by Aljazeera, BBC, ITV, NBC Universal, CNN, COMCAST, CBS, and many more.

Along with 2110 support, Quicklink's platform also supports NDI, SRT and Dante. The Quicklink TX IP-3 and Quicklink TX IP-6 are offered in addition to the established HD-SDI options. The interoperability with ST 2110 infrastructure simplifies workflows and expands possibilities for remote contribution over modern IP networks, the company said.

For more information, click here.

Major League Baseball fans can tweet all they want in the hope of catching the attention of their favorite baseball personalities. But only the Chatting Cage, a collaboration between the league and sponsor Edward Jones, gives baseball fans the opportunity to pose questions and speak directly via reliable, live video chat with the game’s biggest names.

“Video call-in is what makes the Chatting Cage a special opportunity for fans and players alike,” said Chris Lundberg, senior coordinating producer for MLB.com. “We get calls from all kinds of fans, from kids asking All-Star hitters for tips to break out of a slump to adults with thoughtful questions based on their lifelong passion for the game. The Chatting Cage brings MLB and its fans closer together.”

Stability of video chats had been a thorn in the side of producers. Last fall, the MLB.com team sat down with The Video Call Center to discuss a different approach — a complete live video call production solution built around VCC’s patented video caller management system, Caller Queue.

[Read: MLB Partners With The Video Call Center To Manage Live Video Caller Production]

The Video Call Center solution offered MLB numerous video call options. Callers use popular calling apps they already have on their devices such as FaceTime (native on iPhones), Web-RTC-based Gruveo (built into Android) which only requires a browser, or Skype. The VCC has patented reliability-enhancing technology to further stabilize and improve call quality, and according to the company it has achieved success with 99.3% of all calls the system has fielded for commercial customers.

NEW HOME, NEW TECH

As the 2018 season approached, the Chatting Cage team prepared to move from its original home within Manhattan’s Chelsea Market to the MLB Network studios in Secaucus, N.J. With the move came the opportunity to revisit the technology and workflows used to create the show’s unique fan interaction. 

“Changing technology and workflow for the show presents a variety of challenges at any time,” said Lundberg. “Having to make the shift while moving facilities probably could have been insurmountable. Along with the technical team at MLB Network, the VCC were great partners and, despite the tight timetable, we were able to successfully launch to air on time.”

With project management assistance from the VCC, system preparation began Feb 14 and by March 6, the Chatting Cage team was in rehearsal using the system. VCC’s interface system provides flexible connectivity for broadcast facilities, which helped smooth the transition. For example, VCC was readily configurable for embedded audio used in Secaucus instead of unbalanced AES3 needed in the Chelsea facility.

One of the challenges faced when bringing live video callers to air is the fact that there’s no crew at the caller’s end. While the video feed of players comes from MLB Network’s award-winning Ballpark Cam, a network of in-venue cameras, fans are using phones, tablets and laptops from wherever they happen to be.

The show’s call screener, Segment Producer Marissa Morris, serves as gatekeeper and the first person with whom every caller interacts. Morris trained with video call production experts from the VCC who went over different techniques to ensure calls are the best possible in terms of video and audio presentation. “They taught us that small changes can have a big impact,” said Morris. “Asking a person to move closer to a window or to use headphones in a public place makes a huge difference.”

CUSTOM-BRANDED

To join a show, callers first enter the online Caller Queue, the VCC’s cloud-based caller management platform which has been custom-branded for MLB. Callers provide basic identifying information, the question they wish to ask, as well as specify their preferences regarding video calling apps. The Caller Queue permits the call producers to see all the candidates for air, what devices they are on, what topic they would like to discuss, and select them for air.

After reviewing the information, Morris uses the VCC text chat feature to introduce herself and set expectations about when she will call the fan. Text chat is a new feature, integrated into the VCC platform at the request of MLB.

A few minutes before the fan joins the live show, Morris will call them via their preferred app. If the chosen app is problematic, Morris can quickly reconnect via another option. Crop marks on the laptop help her work directly with the fan for ideal framing.

“In the past, we had only one option for video chat,” Lundberg said. “If an issue popped up in making the caller’s camera work with the system, or the connectivity wasn’t great, our only choice was to move on to the next caller.”

VCC call computers are in racks alongside other MLB production equipment. Outputs are fed to a monitor in the control room so operators can QC visuals at air time. But, when it comes to running the show, all that is needed is a laptop.

ON THE FLY

Having four VCC call computers online makes it far less stressful for Morris to juggle large volumes of callers. “We have the option to have four different fans fully vetted and ready to go,” he said. “Having choices means we can bring in a caller who is relevant to what is happening at any moment in the show, rather than relying solely on chronological order. And while we have yet to experience an unresolvable technical issue with a caller, we always have a fallback option.”

When the show’s drivers bring a caller to air, the show visually shifts to a three-up screen that includes the host, guest, and the fan. VCC’s Call Manager Pro system automatically clears all the interface buttons and return video windows normally displayed by calling apps, so all viewers see is distraction-free video. After the question is posed, the show switches to a two-box for the response, with the option to revert to three-box if follow up is required. Morris explains to the fan what they will see on screen, so they aren’t surprised when their video feed vanishes.

“The Chatting Cage has been on MLB.com in various forms for several years, even prior to when I joined the show,” said Lundberg. “The VCC platform along with the helpfulness and experience of their call production team has made this the best iteration yet. The result is a completely unique opportunity to grow the connection between MLB, its teams, players and fans.”

Evan Sirof is president of Marcomm-on-Call.

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SWANSEA, Wales — Quicklink today announced it has partnered with Riedel to support Microsoft’s studio-grade Skype TX solutions that make it possible to integrate Skype calls from around the world into telecasts.

“Quicklink are committed to the support and continued development of the Skype TX products, and this partnership facilitates both companies to focus on their future growth strategies in a complementary way,” said Quicklink CEO Richard Rees.

[Read: Quicklink To Debut Media Streaming Contribution Tech At 2017 NAB Show]

Quicklink will now support existing Riedel STX-200 Skype TX customers under the partnership agreement. Quicklink also has begun handling sales service, including a user hotline, along with hardware repairs — both in and out of warranty — for the Skype STX-200 product.

This year Quicklink TX, which incorporates the Microsoft Skype TX engine, received the Queen’s Award for Innovation, an accolade recognizing outstanding achievement in innovation for a company that also exhibits strong corporate social responsibility.

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